Vermicomposted Dairy Manure as a Disease Suppressive Seed Treatment

The overwhelming majority of all seeds used in agriculture are treated with various agrichemicals and other materials to provide protection and support for young plants. Seed treatments applied by crop appropriate seed coating technologies comprise a specialized segment of the agrichemical industry with annual sales of over $3 billion.The goal of this project is to develop a first-of-its-kind biologically-based seed treatment, derived from earthworm composted (aka vermicomposted) dairy manure. RT Solutions (RTS) has developed a patented vermicomposting system that produces professional plant growth products and has nine-years of commercial experience in bringing these materials to market (OMRI listed for certified organic production). Additionally, RTS has an established six-year research relationship with Cornell University, where plant pathologists have discovered significant microbially mediated disease suppressive properties of the vermicompost. This project will combine the plant growth and plant protection properties of RTS vermicompost with seed coating expertise for the development of an organic seed treatment.A line of organic seed treatment products would allow growers both conventional and organic to transition towards more sustainable production practices. The development of biological seed treatments derived from natural earthworm systems is a win-win scenario for American agriculture as it aids both animal agriculture (manure management) and plant agriculture (safe, lower impacting practices) while creating a unique vermicomposting agri-business.